Renée Zellweger, the Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in Bridget Jones’s Diary, Chicago, and Judy, has been dating Ant Anstead, a British television presenter and car expert, since June 2021. The couple met on the set of Anstead’s Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, where Zellweger helped him surprise two brothers who cared for her late friend and publicist, Nanci Ryder.
Who is Ant Anstead?
Ant Anstead, whose full name is Anthony Richard Anstead, was born in March 1979 in Plymouth, England. He moved to Hertfordshire with his family when he was 10 and attended Richard Hale School and Haileybury School. He developed a passion for cars early and built his first kit car when he was 16.
Anstead joined the Hertfordshire Constabulary in 1999 and became a police officer. He worked in various stations and units, including the Tactical Firearms Team. He received two commendations for acts of bravery during his service. He resigned from the police in 2005 to pursue a career as a car builder and designer.
Ant Anstead started his own television production company in 2014 and produced his show, The World’s Most Expensive Cars. He also co-hosted the Channel 4 show For the Love of Cars with actor Philip Glenister, where they restored classic cars and sold them at auctions. In 2017, he replaced Edd China as the co-host of the popular show Wheeler Dealers alongside Mike Brewer. He also hosted BBC Two’s live show Building Cars Live with James May and Kate Humble and his own Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, where he and his co-star Cristy Lee helped celebrities give refurbished cars to deserving people in their lives.
Anstead is also a semi-professional football player who has played for over 15 years at Ryman level. He has played as both a goalkeeper and a striker, winning Ryman league promotions in both positions. He is also an artist who creates sculptures and paintings from car parts and other materials.
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How did Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead meet?
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead met in the spring of 2021 when Zellweger appeared as a guest on Anstead’s show Celebrity IOU Joyride. She wanted to honor two brothers, Jerome and Jerald, who supported her friend Nanci Ryder after she was diagnosed with ALS in 2014 and until she passed away in 2020. Anstead and Lee helped Zellweger give the brothers new cars as a token of gratitude.
According to a source, Zellweger and Anstead quickly hit it off and had much in common. “Sometimes two people just meet and click, and the timing is right,” the insider told PEOPLE. “Renée is creative … and often goes for guys who think out of the box. She’s smart, thoughtful, and always looking to expand horizons and nurture those around her.”
The couple started dating in June 2021, shortly after Ant Anstead’s divorce from his ex-wife Christina Haack was finalized. Haack is a real estate investor and television personality who co-stars with Anstead on the HGTV show Christina on the Coast. They were married from 2018 to 2021 and have a son named Hudson, born in 2019. Anstead also has two children, Amelie and Archie, from his previous marriage to Louise Anstead, whom he divorced in 2017.
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How is Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead’s relationship going?
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead have been going strong for over two years and have been spotted together several times. They spent the Fourth of July weekend in 2021 at Anstead’s new beach house in Laguna Beach, California, where they were seen cuddling and kissing. They also attended a birthday party at a California winery in August 2021.
The couple made their relationship Instagram official in September 2021, when Anstead shared a selfie of them with the caption, “It’s finally here… The first episode of #CelebrityIOUjoyride is available on @discoveryplus on Monday the 23rd!! And it’s the incredibly magical Renee Zellweger. Renee crafts an insane 1980 Jeep CJ7 for brothers Jerome and Jerald. Who lost both their parents and then had to say goodbye to their sister, Renée’s publicist and long-time friend Nanci Ryder. This is an incredibly special and personal episode. And I’m so excited to share it with you. X.”
Zellweger, who is notoriously private about her personal life, has not posted anything about Anstead on social media, but she has praised him in interviews. She told Extra in September 2021, “He’s a lovely, lovely person.” She also gushed about his show, saying, “It’s really fun. It’s a great idea. He’s so good at it. He’s so good at what he does.”
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The couple seems very happy and supportive of each other’s careers and passions. They have also blended their families and introduced their children to each other. Anstead’s son Hudson calls Zellweger “Zee Zee” and loves spending time with her. Zellweger has also bonded with Anstead’s older children, Amelie and Archie, who live in the UK with their mother.
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead are among Hollywood’s most surprising and adorable couples. They have found love and joy in each other’s company and have shown that sometimes, things happen for a reason.
FAQs
How did Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead meet?
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead met on the set of Anstead’s Discovery+ show Celebrity IOU Joyride, where Zellweger helped him surprise two brothers who cared for her late friend and publicist, Nanci Ryder.
When did Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead start dating?
Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead started dating in June 2021, shortly after Anstead’s divorce from his ex-wife Christina Haack was finalized.
Are Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead engaged?
According to some reports, Renée Zellweger and Ant Anstead are engaged after two years of dating and are planning a wedding. However, neither of them has confirmed or denied the engagement rumors.
Does Ant Anstead have any children?
Yes, Ant Anstead has three children from his previous marriages.
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